A four-day soccer event for youth to showcase their on-field skills and potentially secure a spot in the Whitecaps FC academy program is coming to Richmond next week.
More than 400 youth players in the Whitecaps FC BMO Academy System are expected to be travelling to Richmond for the Vancouver Whitecaps FC National Combine event from Apr. 4 to 7.
Youth will showcase their on-field skills and fight for a spot in the Whitecaps FC full-time academy program while university scouts will be in town looking to sign new Canadian talents.
Players will also attend daily development workshops with both Whitecaps FC and Canadian national team staff.
More than 70 University scouts representing seven provinces and 23 states from across North America will be in B.C. for the duration of the event, looking for players to sign.
Canadian universities as far as Newfoundland as well as multiple U.S.-based schools such as University of Florida, University of Michigan, Ivy League's Princeton University and over 30 NCAA Division 1 programs are expected to be at the event.
The event is to support the goals and dreams of their academy players in Canada, according to Ryan Clark, Whitecaps FC manager of Collegiate Transition and ID events.
"It brings the added excitement to each game having a large amount of scouts at top universities from all regions of North America along with our club's professional staff and youth national team coaches on-site," said Clark.
"We know the players and their coaches will be ready to shine,"
Nancy Small, CEO of Tourism Richmond, said they are thrilled to have athletes and officials from across North America visiting Richmond for the event.
"While they will be working hard on the field, they will also have the opportunity to experience the diversity of culture and food in our amazing destination," said Small.
"This is another example of the power of collaboration that helps support the hopes and dreams of these athletes. We will be rolling out the welcome mat for all."
The event will begin at Minoru turf fields on Monday, Apr. 4 with training for all squads taking place between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Games will run daily from Apr. 5 to 7 with kickoffs on all three fields between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.
